It’s barely Halloween, but by necessity, the folks at North Fulton Community Charities already are deep into the holiday season. Their annual efforts to assist local families with warm coats, food for a Thanksgiving meal and toys and gifts through the 2012 Holiday Program are underway.

“Our greatest needs at this time are for gently worn coats, financial donations and family sponsors,” said Eden Purdy, program director for NFCC. “With 817 families already qualified, we anticipate our numbers will be greater than last year. Comparing registrations from last year at this time, we have 100 more families qualified.”

Staff has seen an increase in grandparents raising grandkids, single parent households, and families still struggling to keep their homes.

“These families depend on us to be their support system, especially during the holidays. And with the support of our community we can help them,” Purdy said.

NFCC is looking for family sponsors, financial donations, and new toys and gifts for their Santa Shop. Donations of gently used coats are being collected this month and will be distributed to families on Oct. 27.

Food drives and Thanksgiving food items will be collected during the week of Nov. 12 for distribution to families on Nov. 17 and 18. Family sponsorship involves purchasing gifts and toys based on a wish list and family letter in December. New toys and gifts will be set up in a toy store like setting for families who are not sponsored.

NFCC Executive Director Barbara Duffy said that by December, the agency anticipates more than 1,300 families will have qualified for holiday assistance. “We invite the North Fulton community to join with NFCC to make sure that our neighbors in need are remembered during the holidays.”

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